A THIRD significantly radioactive particle has been recovered from a beach at the centre of a contamination scare, it has emerged.

Tests are now being carried out on the particle found by scientists in front of the headland at Dalgety Bay, Fife at the end of April.

It was discovered outside the area which is cordoned-off to the public, but in a section of beach said to be used infrequently.

More than 2000 radioactive particles are thought to have been uncovered since October last year, when high-activity radiation was found at the bay and parts of the beach were closed.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said the latest particle is the third to measure around 2 MBq, a unit of measurement known as a megabecquerel. It is well below two other "very high activity" sources previously unearthed, which recorded much larger readings of 76MBq and 13MBq.

The environmental body said it chaired a meeting of the Dalgety Bay Forum yesterday, where the discovery was discussed.

In a statement, Sepa said: "The forum was also updated on a 2.1MBq source which was located in front of the headland. This is the third source around the 2MBq found. Although significantly higher than the usual activity we would expect to be find, it is lower than the two very high activity particles previously found (76MBq and 13MBq).

"Both the MoD's (Ministry of Defence) contractor and Sepa detected it, and Sepa recovered it. It was not in the cordoned-off area but was in a section of the beach that is not often used and is covered over at high tide.

"The source, which further demonstrates the need for a comprehensive investigation of the contamination, is currently undergoing testing."

Radioactive material was found on the Dalgety Bay foreshore 22 years ago. The contamination is thought to stem from residue of radium-coated instrument panels used on military aircraft which were incinerated and put in landfill in the area at the end of the Second World War.

A lump of contaminated metal was found on the beach in October, prompting the closure of part of the foreshore.

In April an investigation plan to establish how to clean up the beach was agreed by MoD and Sepa. The environmental body said then that it expects remediation action to follow urgently at the conclusion of the investigation.

The timescale for completing the five-stage plan, which includes surveying the area, sampling and analysis, is May 2013.

Last month an extension of a ban on gathering seafood and bait from the beach was backed by MSPs.

The SNP said the latest discovery raised fears about what other contaminated sources exist in areas which are not fenced off.

Annabelle Ewing, SNP MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: "This latest find is deeply disturbing and I hope the MoD does what it should and begin a comprehensive investigation into the contamination at the beach.

"How do we know there aren't more radioactive particles in areas that people are allowed to go?

"No matter what, the safety of the people of Fife must come first. The MoD can no longer continue with its excuses: Dalgety Bay needs thoroughly cleaned up and cleaned up now.

"It is bitterly disappointing the situation has been allowed to reach this point. The MoD shouldn't have avoided dealing with this clean-up for over 20 years."

An MoD spokesman said: "The Ministry of Defence and Sepa have agreed to an investigation plan aimed at tackling the land contamination issues at Dalgety Bay in Fife. The aim of the MoD's investigation plan is to identify significant pollutant linkages to determine the need for and scope of any further work including remediation.

"Whilst MoD is assisting Sepa in fulfilling its statutory duty to identify the presence of significant pollutant linkages, Sepa has yet to complete their determination to identify the appropriate person or person(s) to undertake remediation.

"MoD remain committed to assisting Sepa and our collaboration and consultation over the past three months represents a key milestone in understanding the situation at Dalgety Bay and presents a timetable for the investigation."